Soul of the Dynasty: Rebirth

DESTINED TO MEET

Shizui practically skipped with glee, his heart pounding a happy rhythm against his ribs. "Finally!" he whispered, thrusting a fist into the air. "I have everything I need!" A mischievous grin split his face as he envisioned the sweet, bubbling concoction he'd be brewing soon. Abruptly, his smile faltered as he glanced at the darkening sky. "Oh no," he muttered, kicking a pebble down the cobblestone street. "I must get back before curfew or I'm in for it again."

He weaved through the bustling streets of the central district, his pace picking up with each passing minute. Rounding a shadowy corner, he nearly barreled into two figures huddled in a narrow alleyway. Their white cloaks pulled tight around their forms, seemed to swallow them whole, and their faces were obscured by masks that did little to hide the hushed intensity of their conversation. Shizui froze, instinctively pressing himself against the rough brick wall.

"Did you get a lead on him?" one figure rasped; its voice distorted by the mask. The other figure shook its head, the movement jerky and almost panicked. "Ten years," it hissed. "Ten years of searching, and still nothing! It's like he's vanished into thin air!"

The first figure threw its hands up in exasperation. "They must have conducted some extraordinary ritual, that is the only explanation, there is no way he could remain hidden for so long"

"Maybe he is actually dead..." the second figure offered, a tinge of hope creeping into its voice. "Maybe his soul's scattered to the depths of the other world."

"Souls are immortal!!," the first figure countered, its voice laced with scorn. "Even if his soul was scattered even a fragment would leave a trace!"

"Well, your people must've missed it then," the second figure retorted, a hint of defiance flickering in its shadowed eyes.

The first figure bristled, its posture rigid. "Are you questioning my competence? Don't forget who offered you sanctuary, who helped you infiltrate the Maori clan! I want him gone, permanently.  I won't settle for anything less."

The second figure seemed to shrink under the other's glare. "Woah, there," it soothed. "We're on the same team, remember? I just meant that I'd be the first to sniff him out if he were reincarnated. Trust me, I want him gone more than you do. But the fact that I haven't felt a flicker in ten years...well, you get the picture."

A glint of cunning flickered in the first figure's eyes. "Plan B, then," it declared, its voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We start with the Maori clan's weakness. That'll surely draw him out."

The second figure recoiled. "Are you crazy? You know how powerful he is!"

The first figure, its form cloaked in an aura of dark resolve, simply barked, "Do it!" before melting back into the shadows.

Shizui, his heart hammering against his ribs, barely dared to breathe. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to flee, but a morbid curiosity kept him rooted to the spot. As the remaining figure dissolved into the night, Shizui finally tore himself away from his hiding place. His mind raced, replaying the snippets of conversation he'd overheard who are these people? and who are they looking for? Looks like the Maori clan is hiding something from the rest of the realm, the Maori clan's weakness.  Shizui shook his head in a poor attempt to dispel the thoughts jumbling in his head I have successfully stumbled upon something I shouldn't have! way to go Shizui!  He inwardly cursed himself. Let's just get back to the academy for now.  He sprinted as fast as he could towards the academy and reached the archway leading into the academy's compound, only to be met by an invisible barrier that sent him sprawling onto his backside with a surprised yelp.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" he exclaimed, standing up and rubbing the sore spot.

He studied the archway, pondering his next move. "How do I get in there? Only the Māori clan members have those special passes."